RIC X Honorius 1251
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC X Honorius 1251. Denomination: Solidus. Authority: Honorius. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Arcadius, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG. The reverse shows arcadius, draped, cuirassed, standing right, holding standard in right hand and Victory on globe in left hand; spurning seated bound captive with left foot, with the legend VICTORI-A AVGGG.
Related types with the same reverse, struck at other mints or with different marks or bust details, are consolidated here and listed under varieties: RIC X Honorius 1252.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 6
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Honorius was Roman emperor from 393 to 423, ruling the western half of the Roman Empire after the death of his father, Theodosius I, in 395. His elder brother, Arcadius, governed the eastern half of the empire. Honorius governed from the West under the initial regency of Stilicho, overseeing a precarious and chaotic reign during which Rome was sacked in 410.
This gold solidus was produced at the Rome mint under the authority of Honorius. In Western Europe, the solidus served as the principal gold coin of commerce from late Roman times into the Early Middle Ages. Although issued under Honorius, the coinage features his brother Arcadius, bearing the obverse legend "D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG". The reverse depicts Arcadius holding a standard alongside Victory on a globe while spurning a bound captive, accompanied by the inscription "VICTORI-A AVGGG".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gold
- Denomination
- Solidus
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Honorius
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Arcadius, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right
- Reverse
- Arcadius, draped, cuirassed, standing right, holding standard in right hand and Victory on globe in left hand; spurning seated bound captive with left foot
- Obverse legend
- D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
- Reverse legend
- VICTORI-A AVGGG
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC X Honorius 1251
- Denomination and metal
- Solidus, Gold
- Obverse legend to match
- D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- VICTORI-A AVGGG
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.10.hon_w.1251
Varieties
RIC X Honorius 1205
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC X Honorius 1239
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC X Honorius 1286
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC X Honorius 1252
Same ruler, denomination, reverse type and reverse legend; differs in mint, mint mark, officina or bust detail. Consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.